University Park, PA - Anthony Morelli threw three touchdowns
as the 19th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions easily defeated the University of
Akron Zips, 34-16, in the first game of the year for both teams at a rain
soaked Beaver Stadium.
The Junior Morelli completed 16-of-32 passes for 206 yards for Penn State,
which captured a share of the Big Ten title last year. Jordan Norwood caught
seven passes for 61 yards and a touchdown for the Nittany Lions (1-0) in the
victory.
Dennis Kennedy rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown and caught eight passes for
50 yards for the Zips (0-1). Luke Getsy went 22-for-42 for 160 yards with a
touchdown and two interceptions in the loss.
Penn State came out flying after stopping Akron on its first offensive
possession and needed only three plays to get on the scoreboard to take an
early 7-0 lead. Morelli connected with Deon Butler on a 42-yard touchdown pass
with 10:02 left in first quarter to cap a three-play, 69-yard drive.
Kevin Kelly gave the Nittany Lions a 10-0 lead after booting a 39-yard field
goal as time expired in the first quarter.
Penn State used another quick drive to strike again as Morelli and Norwood
hooked up for a 14-yard TD pass to go up 17-0 with 11:39 to play in the second
quarter. Norwood's touchdown highlighted a four-play, 62-yard drive that
spanned just 1:15.
Akron got on the board with 3:34 left in the first half with a 45-yard field
goal by Matthew Domonkos that made it 17-3.
The Zips capitalized off a turnover at the start of the second half as A.J.
Wallace fumbled the opening kickoff and Reggie Corner recovered for Akron at
midfield. Kennedy made Penn State pay after scampering into the end zone from
four yards out to make it 17-9 as the extra point was missed with 9:26 left in
the third quarter.
The Nittany Lions came right back and scored on their next possession to make
it 24-9 with 7:10 left in the third. After Wallace returned a kickoff 54 yards
into Akron territory, Morelli found Derrick Williams in the end zone later in
the drive for a 20-yard TD pass.
Tony Hunt's five-yard TD run with 9:18 remaining in the game gave Penn State a
31-9 lead. Kelly pushed the Nittany Lions' lead to 34-9 with a 42-yard field
goal with around 6 1/2 minutes left.
With 2:45 left in the contest, a 27-yard TD toss from Getsy to David Harvey
pulled Akron within 34-16.
Game Notes
Penn State is now 3-0 all-time against Akron.
Norwood's seven catches were a
career-high.
Next up for the Nittany Lions is a matchup with Notre Dame on
September 9th in South Bend.
Akron will play on the road at North Carolina
State next week.
© 2006 The Sports Network
USA
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